Epilepsy sufferer Graham Duncan says his health is suffering - because of the stress of continually having to prove he should receive his disability benefits.

The 28-year-old - who is unable to work because of his condition - won an appeal to get his personal independence payments (PIPs) reinstated last March following a 12-month battle.

But now he is faced with yet more assessments to prove he should still receive the benefit.

Graham, of Station Crescent, Smallthorne, said: "I have been epileptic since I was 15. My epilepsy is uncontrolled and I have about one seizure a week. It has also led to other problems like arthritis in my shoulder and numerous back problems.

Graham Duncan, from Smallthorne, is worried his benefit payments are going to be taken away

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"Last time they sent someone to assess me for PIP that person was not qualified to assess someone with epilepsy - it's a neurological disability and I was being assessed on my physical capability at that time. They need to see the after-effects of a seizure to properly assess me.

"I was told I wasn't entitled to PIP and I had to appeal. That took 12 months and I wasn't getting the payments. I had to live on ESA (employment support allowance) at a reduced rate.

"After last March's tribunal I was re-awarded PIP until February 2019 and I was awarded 12 months backpay."

But the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) starts the process of 'seeking information' from a claimant a year before their award is due to run out.

Former Alton Towers worker Graham added: "I'm terrified that the next 12 months are going to be me fighting them all over again.

"Last time I wasn't getting the payments I nearly lost my home and I got into debt. My epilepsy is triggered by stress so it has an effect on my health."

Now Graham - who currently receives £450-a-month - is calling for a change in the system to ensure people with long-term disabilities are spared the 'constant' PIP assessment process.

"I'm going to have epilepsy for the rest of my life," he said. "It's not something that's going to be better in 12 months. They should award people longer periods of PIP because having to keep being assessed is very stressful.

"I would absolutely love to go back to work at Alton Towers but it is not an option because of my health. The PIP helps me to afford to live on my own and be independent."

Around 8,000 people in the Potteries receive PIP and last year a Stoke-on-Trent City Council review found the assessment process was not 'fit for purpose'. Two-thirds of the appealed decisions in the city are overturned.

The DWP says the frequency of assessments depends on each claimant's individual condition and treatment.

A spokesman said: "The decision of when we need to reassess a claimant following a successful appeal is made by the tribunal.

"In this case they decided that the award should be made to February 24, 2019. On that basis we are required to ensure we are in a position to possibly continue the award after that date. To do this we start the process of seeking information from the claimant at least one year before."